The 49th running of the Newport Bermuda Race opens for online registration on Monday, January 13 2014. Captains wishing to sail in the offshore classic may apply for entry on the race’s official website, using the Entry Portal. The deadline for filing an application for entry is 1700, April 1.

After the biennial race starts on June 20 off Castle Hill, at Newport, RI, the fleet will sail 635 miles, most of them out of sight of land, across the Gulf Stream to Bermuda. First sailed in 1906, 'the Thrash to the Onion Patch' is the oldest regularly scheduled ocean race. As always, this year’s race will finish off Bermuda’s colorful St. David’s Lighthouse.

Bermuda Race Organizing Committee Chairman Fred Deichmann has raced to Bermuda five times, but is taking this year off to run the race. “The 2012 race was spectacularly successful, with 165 boats and record-breaking times, Deichmann noted. 'Since then the volunteer committee has been working to improve the race and simplify the entry process for 2014 sailors.” The Entry portal to apply for a race invitation and then complete the entry process opens Monday, January 13 - Newport Bermuda Race 2014 - Newport Bermuda Race Media Click Here to view large photo

'This is an exciting time for us at the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee,' said BROC Chairman Fred Deichmann, who has raced to Bermuda five times, but is taking this year off to run the race. 'The 2012 race was spectacularly successful, with 165 boats and record-breaking times. Since then the volunteer committee has been working to improve the race and simplify the entry process for 2014 sailors.'

Among several innovations this year, the race has replaced the complicated International Sailing Federation Offshore Special Regulations with simpler, effective equipment requirements. 'We have also introduced a performance screen to ensure that similar boats race against each other in appropriate divisions for the type of boat, its speed, and the type of crew on the boat,' Deichmann said. 'And we are introducing several new prizes to attract entries from across the country and among cruising sailors.'

'We encourage owners new to the race entry process to utilize our Race Ambassador program. It will help and make your entry a better experience.' Newcomers can meet an Ambassador here.

A landmark this year is the 50th Anniversary of the three-event Onion Patch Series. Boats compete for both team and individual prizes in the Newport Bermuda Race, the New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta, and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Anniversary Regatta. Onion Patch Series news is posted here and each event’s web site.